Australia Considers Selective Service

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30562, 3 October 1964, Page 13

Australia Considers Selective Service

(Special Correspondent N.Z.P.A.)

SYDNEY, October 2.

The introduction of a selective form of national service training is now being reconsidered by the Federal Government’s defence advisers.

The issue has become urgent because of the Government’s decision to hold a Senate election in early December. This has advanced the review of the defence policy, which will now be completed this month. The Government does not want to be caught flat-footed in the Senate campaign, which will be largely fought on the defence issue. The Federal Cabinet will decide this month on new measures to increase the strength and efficiency of the armed services and improve their mobility. The joint chiefs of staff committee, which assesses the country's military needs, has previously unanimously opposed national service training—and it was indicated in Canberra last week that the Government would not agree to a return to a full-scale national service scheme.

Objections have been based on the cost of the programme, the limited manpower available for call-up, and on the effect the training scheme would have on the tight permanent army formation, from which instructors would be drawn. The Federal Cabinet is split on the issue. “Growing Clamour” It is known that the Prime Minister (Sir Robert Menzies) has been embarrassed in recent weeks by a growing clamour from Government ranks for some form of national service training. A big factor, expected to influence a decision, is the progress of army recruiting. Defence authorities are disappointed that the generous pay and housing incentives granted to the army in June have not stimulated recruiting. On current progress, the army appears to face a hopeless task of reaching the June 30, 1967, targets of 28.000 men in the permanent army and 32,500 in the citizens'’ military forces. The pay increases ranged from £2 13s a week for privates to £l5 a week for certain officers, and the C.M.F. pay was exempted from taxation.